I received the most beautiful flower arrangement from client Karen Hodges on Wednesday–her way of saying thank you for coming to my event Monday night. She had called earlier in the day to ask for my street address saying she wanted to send me something. An hour later the doorbell rang with a deliveryman presenting me with a vase full of spectacular roses, hydrangea and freesia.
When I opened the card I had a big smile on my face. But the message confused me. I immediately called Karen to thank her and to ask, “What did you mean to say on the card?” She started laughing when I read what was written on the enclosure. Then she explained that the young woman to whom she had dictated the message wasn’t that familiar with English. Karen had wanted to say that the evening was filled with love, light and laughter. Here’s what the card read:
Dear Jane,
Light and lobsters filled the room…
I got two gifts that afternoon–Karen’s love and a great belly laugh!
That’s hysterical! I’ll remember to use that line if you ever throw a clambake, Jane!
Oh, now THAT’S funny! Thanks for the giggle!
AND, for another REMARKABLE evening.
xo
Laurie
My husband asked, “Is she from Maine, or the Cape?” Too funny!
I will definitely use this in my ESL classes! Thanks.
Dear Lucy, Janet, Carrie and Laurie,
So glad you all see the great humor in this. Please feel free to share it and enjoy it however you like.
Love,
Jane
Jane, this reminds me of a gift we received years ago from my husband’s co-worker who was from Guatemala. His wife embroidered a hanging for us that said “Home Suleet Home.” We figured someone wrote it out for her, and she, not being familiar with English, thought the “w” looked like an “l” and “u.” It was a lovely gift, and to this day, we still use “suleet” as though it were a real word.
@Lisa
That’s too suleet! This is what creates legends in families and bonding experiences. Thank you for sharing it.